Gary P. Nunn

Biography

Gary P. Nunn began his musical career as a 7th grader in a garage band in Brownfield, Texas, where he was an honor student and all-around athlete. Upon graduation from night school, he attended Texas Tech University and South Plains College while pursuing music on weekends playing with "The Fabulous Sparkles," a take-no-prisoners rock band that was the rage of West Texas during the sixties. In 1968 he transferred to the University of Texas at Austin immersing himself in the lively local music sc...

Gary P. Nunn began his musical career as a 7th grader in a garage band in Brownfield, Texas, where he was an honor student and all-around athlete. Upon graduation from night school, he attended Texas Tech University and South Plains College while pursuing music on weekends playing with "The Fabulous Sparkles," a take-no-prisoners rock band that was the rage of West Texas during the sixties. In 1968 he transferred to the University of Texas at Austin immersing himself in the lively local music scene while studying pharmacy at UT. In 1972, Michael Martin Murphey, Jerry Jeff Walker, and Willie Nelson moved to Austin and a new Era in music was born. The movement was dubbed "Texas progressive," "outlaw music" among other monikers and Gary P. Nunn was right in the middle of it. At one time he was playing bass for Murphey, Walker and Nelson! For Murphy and Walker, he lead The Lost Gonzo Band who backed them up on stage and in the studio, and helped propel them to national notoriety. It was during this time that Nunn honed his songwriting skills composing tunes that were recorded by Nelson, Walker and Murphey, as well as Rosanne Cash, David Allen Coe and others, earning him several gold and platinum records for writing, publishing and performing.

Gary P. Nunn and The Lost Gonzo Band parted company with Jerry Jeff Walker in 1977, an association that lasted for four years and produced six popular LP's for MCA Records. The Lost Gonzo Band produced three LP's for MCA and Capital before disbanding in 1980. These records are coveted by Gonzo enthusiasts for their eclectic blend of rock, folk, and country. 1980 found Gary P. Nunn on his own and in the position of having to start over, never having performed under his own name. Since that time, he has grown into one of the best known and most popular artists on the Texas music scene - a testament to his talent and determination.

Since venturing on his own, Gary P. Nunn has assumed the responsibility for his own career. Without the aid of an agent and manager, has built a substantial music business organization which handles his booking and houses his music publishing companies.. He has entered into a relationship with Campfire Records, an independent label out of San Antonio, which has produced three CD's, "Totally Guacamole" in 1993, "Roadtrip" in 1994, and "Under My Hat" released in 1996, as well as licensing four previously released CD's Gary P. had produced on various independent labels. Campfire Records has secured national distribution of the entire Gary P. Nunn catalogue and is currently fielding offers from major labels interested in distributing the catalogue in Europe. The number of products being moved is starting to attract the attention of major labels in the U.S.!

He has appeared on countless programs such as Nashville Now, TNN's Texas Connection, music videos and special appearances on TNN, Austin City Limits, Texas Ranger's Baseball games (singing the National Anthem), and other appearances too numerous to mention.

Gary P. Nunn's itinerary takes him to all the major cities in Texas where he consistently packs houses with his loyal following and winning news fans who confess they never really liked country music, but they just love Gary P. Nunn! Often one can find big name country artists in the audience who admit they grew up listening to and being influenced by his music. He is well known and respected in the Nashville music community and was honored there recently at a reception at BMI for his contributions as a writer and publisher. He has resisted offers to relocate in Nashville preferring to promote the growing music industry in Texas. He did, however, concede to record "Roadtrip" in Nashville, tapping musicians from Trisha Yearwood' and Vince Gill's bands and inviting an old friend from Texas, Hal Ketchum, to sing harmonies.

Gary P. Nunn enjoys a near folk status in Texas as he continues to sing the praises of the state, its culture, and its colorful characters. His fans come from all walks of life and range from small children who know the words to every song; to college students who have given up hard rock for the Texas two-step; to professionals whohave never set foot in a honky-tonk; to octogenarian couples who still snuggle on the dance floor. Gary P. Nunn has the unique ability to appeal to all. His performances are lively and danceable, yet sensitive and image provoking. They are often humorous and always entertaining. Gary P. Nunn never met a stranger and is always available to meet with fans which contributes greatly to his popularity. He has been described as everything from "a pioneer of Texas country music" to "a part of the fabric of contemporary Texas culture" to "the mule that pulls the Texas country music wagon!" However, one chooses to describe him, there is no denying his contribution in thepast and that he will be at the head of the herd in Texas music in the future.

You can find Gary P. on the road from Austin to Dallas, Louisiana to New Mexico to Oklahoma, and at many venues in Europe... always playing good country music, and inviting the crowd to "Go Home with the Armadillo."

Honors and Awards
1985 -- Designated Official Ambassador to the World by Texas Governor Mark White.

1990 -- Received an Award of Appreciation by the San Antonio chapter of the Texas Music Association (along with other artists such as ZZ Top, Moe Bandy and Tish Hinojosa).

Honored by the Texas Department of Commerce and Tourism, chosen to be included in the department's list of Lone Star Greats . This award was created to recognize individuals in the State of Texas that they deem to be leaders in the fields of art, athletics and music.

1991 -- Given a Citation of Recognition by the Oklahoma House of Representatives for his contribution to the preservation of the unique Southwestern style of music.

1995 -- Added to the West Texas Walk of Fame in Lubbock, Texas; as part of the festivities, Gary was also honored by the Lubbock Civic Center as wel as the mayor and city council of Lubbock, the chamber of commerce, and others in conjunction with the opening of the Buddy Holly Museum.

2004 -- Inducted into the Texas Hall of Fame

Awarded several gold and platinum records for writing, publishing and performing. Read more on Last.fm. User-contributed text is available under the Creative Commons By-SA License; additional terms may apply.